Techno techno techno: how gig going in the future will be transformed by technology

Music has been at the coronary heart of human tradition for millennia. It’s an integral a part of many world communities, taking part in a key position in spiritual rituals, ceremony of passage ceremonies and social actions. For most individuals, although, it’s nearly a banging beat and an anthemic refrain.

Chuck in your headphones, and music can be an effective way to take a break from the whole lot. And no matter your favorite artists and songs, the premise is the identical for everybody. Of course, there’s nothing higher than really having the ability to expertise music reside.

Gigs, concert events and festivals provide an incredible alternative so that you can be immersed in music. While the expertise of a live performance stays just about the identical (loud audio system, heat beer, sweaty crowds and, inexplicably, nice instances regardless of all the above), there have been some massive modifications over the years because of technology.

Not solely has sound and manufacturing gear improved, however now you can seize the expertise together with your smartphone and buy tickets via the web. However, as we embrace ever-more-connected change, anticipate to see issues rework even additional. Connected applied sciences have the skill to supply extra immersive live performance experiences, make gigs safer and clamp down on ticket touting. Here’s how that’ll be achieved.

Making concert events safer

It’s at all times an incredible feeling to get to see your favorite artist carry out, however when there are literally thousands of others in the identical venue, issues can get hectic. Security at main stadiums, arenas and live performance halls is at all times beefed up, particularly as paranoia round terrorism grows, although there are nonetheless many on a regular basis challenges round well being and security.

Popular gigs can appeal to tens of 1000’s of followers, and typically it’s inconceivable to look out for accidents or suspicious behaviour. The Internet of Things, nevertheless, may change this. Researchers at Kingston University in London are collaborating in a £15 million Europe-wide undertaking to discover ways in which drones, wristbands and body-mounted cameras can rework safety processes at gigs.

Called Monica, the undertaking happened when researchers in Copenhagen wished to discover a option to make rock concert events at the metropolis’s Tivoli Gardens venue quieter and safer. The Kingston University staff has been specializing in safety processes, and up to now they’ve been investigating how sensible units can be built-in into an efficient system for safety professionals at concert events.

Associate professor Vasileios Argyriou, who’s engaged on the undertaking with Professor Remagnino at Kingston University, tells TechRadar that there’s large potential for live performance organisers to rework safety processes with the newest related technology.

Smart applied sciences may, for instance, permit for two-way interplay between an artist and viewers.

Vasileios Argyriou, Kingston University

“The research being undertaken by Kingston University’s Robot Vision team as part of the MONICA project will focus on exploring how the latest Internet of Things (IoT) technologies – such as smart wristbands, body-mounted cameras and drones – could be brought together and used to improve video surveillance and speed up the response from security teams to incidents in the middle of a large crowd,” he says.

He provides that this technology may also assist cut back noise air pollution and create extra personalised experiences for gig goers.

“Some of the other project partners will be focusing on finding solutions to mitigate the impact of noise levels on residents during outdoor shows in major cities. Beyond this project though, there is the potential for such technologies to be used to help make people feel more connected and involved in an unfolding event as a community,” he says.

“Smart applied sciences may, for instance, permit for two-way interplay between an artist and viewers, offering instantaneous indications of engagement from the viewers and their reactions to explicit songs throughout a live performance or motion in a sports activities sport.This may probably result in extra dynamic concert events and permit the viewers to get pleasure from a extra personalised expertise.”

Rise of the related live performance

The related live performance appears to be like set to turn out to be mainstream, versus an costly gimmick. Circle Agency is one in all the firms working to make this a actuality. Recently, it teamed up with a social media device that lets customers create visually wealthy content material for a gig. This is collated into one feed so that everybody can share one another’s experiences.

Neil Hooper, board artistic director at the company, believes that technology can rework live performance experiences in a constructive method.

“It’s clear that technology is transforming concert experiences for the better, offering consumers more ways to get involved with events on a deeper level. We were recently presented with an amazing social media application tool which works to enhance the festival experience,” he says.

“Amondo allows users to create visually rich content, sourced from every available digital channel. This aggregates all the content onto one platform onto a cool interface on your phone, enabling friends to gather everyone’s greatest moments surrounding an event. By partnering with festivals and concerts, this app brings added value for consumers, such as giving them exclusive access to artist content, backstage videos and creating a more immersive and dynamic stream which lives on long after the event has ended.”

Technology is remodeling live performance experiences for the higher, providing customers extra methods to get entangled with occasions on a deeper degree.

Neil Hooper, Circle Agency

Of course, there’s nothing extra annoying than being in a large crowd whereas the individual in entrance of you blocks your view as a result of they’re filming the gig on a smartphone. Hooper explains that technology can repair this problem.

“How does technology help to combat this? By enhancing the exclusive benefits offered to gig-goers,” he says.

“The fashion world has already blocked mobiles at big designer launches, as the designer wants full control of their image and how their brand is being portrayed online. When the show is over, guests are presented with sharable content from the brand which they can then share online – this type of thinking could be applied to music. Giving gig-goers access to exclusive images, videos and backstage content as part of their concert ticket.”

VR gigs

Virtual actuality is one other technology that would have a seismic influence on the concert events and different leisure occasions of the future. Hooper explains that VR is a superb option to permit individuals who can’t attend in individual to get a style of gigs.

“When it comes to VR gigs, this is something we’re seeing more and more. This comes down to getting people off the sofa and experiencing the moment by watching events live,” he says.

“For those that can’t expertise an occasion in-person, VR is one other good way of placing individuals at the coronary heart of fantastic experiences. However, VR gigs are insular so to try to create a shared expertise we anticipate to see an increase in group VR cubicles which allow individuals to expertise a live performance or pageant with their associates.

“We’ve beforehand labored with ‘Soluis Group’ who provide a 360 levels portal which may maintain about 10 individuals, resulting in a shared VR expertise which permits associates to get pleasure from a live performance in the consolation of their very own house, however with out lacking out on the expertise of sharing it with associates.”

As properly as giving individuals a brand new option to immerse themselves in concert events, digital actuality may also be used in advertising and marketing processes. Jason Alan Snyder, chief technology officer at whole model expertise company Momentum Worldwide, sees a variety of potential right here.

“At Momentum our current arsenal of data science and insight tools allow us to get very close to the real needs and wants of fans at festivals like Panorama and Coachella,” he says.

“The experiences we create on behalf of clients like American Express and Verizon are bespoke to elevate each fan’s experience, allowing them feel closer to the music – and the moment. But in the not-so-distant future, we will begin using neuromarketing to inform the creative technologies we employ (AR, VR, holography, haptics, scent, etc.), to assist us in shaping reality (and the perception of reality) to heighten festival and concert experiences and amplify feelings of intimacy.”

Fighting ticket touts

Another side of gigs that’s transformed vastly over the years is how customers really buy tickets. If you wish to see an artist, you should purchase a ticket on-line and have it shipped to your handle a couple of days earlier than the live performance takes place. While that is handy, it’s additionally seen the rise of ticket touts. These are individuals who buy tickets to resell them for revenue.

A ticketing system […] utilizing biometrics and digital identities would make it inconceivable for bots to succeed.

Robin Tombs, Yoti

This isn’t new by any means, however the rise of on-line reserving permits dodgy firms to make use of bots to buy 1000’s of tickets directly – ensuing in individuals being ripped off in after market gross sales. Artists akin to Adele and Ed Sheeran have been clamping down on this, and touts can now be issued with limitless fines. However, many consider that tech can go additional.

Robin Tombs, CEO of cyber safety start-up Yoti, is a type of individuals. He says that artists and live performance organisers ought to take a look at organising ticketing techniques that use biometrics to cease touts.

“Bots have become incredibly common. Anyone can now get themselves a ticket buying bot for a few hundred pounds online,” he says.

“But there’s a resolution. A ticketing system that checked the uniqueness of the particular person by utilizing biometrics and digital identities would make it inconceivable for bots to succeed.

“It would make it clear that an actual individual was shopping for the ticket. Their id may then be linked to the ticket making certain each reputable possession and that it’s not a faux; one other severe concern for the ticketing business.”

Going to a live performance is an thrilling expertise, and if it’s to see one in all your favorite and most revered artists, then it’s one thing you’ll keep in mind for the remainder of your life. The gigs of the future will be safer, fairer and extra immersive than you possibly can probably think about now